Bridge plate and splash prevention construction for pig casting apparatus



11, 1942.. F. F. BQLLINGER ET AL A 2,292,922

BRIDGE PLATE AND SPLASH PREVENTION CONSTRUCTION FOR PIG CASTING APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1941 lNvsN-rozs I OZNEY Patente d Aug. 11, 1942 I Y BRIDGE PLATE. AND SPLASHIREVENTION CONSTRUCTION FOR PIG CASTING APPA- RATUS FranklF. Bollinger, Pittsburgh, and Carl L. Kenney, Avalon, Pa.

Application June 21, 1941, Serial No. 399,162

3 .Claims.

Our invention is an improvement in chain link mechanism for pig casting apparatus of the continuous double chain-conveyed mold series type of present standard construction, wherein molten metal is continuously received, hardened and discharged.

In such construction a continuous series of transversely arranged overlapping molds are supported by their opposite ends and carried upon and by endless chains passing around endmost driving and driven sprocket wheels for progressive filling, cooling, discharge and spraying, as at present largely practiced in the art.

Ordinarily the carrying chains consist of pairs of individual links connected by transverse pins providing axle bearings for the track supported wheels, as in our prior application Ser. No. 380,580, of which this application is a division.

The present improvement is in providing a novel and useful connection between the several pairs of links of the opposite side-by-side strands for supporting the several intervening molds in either receiving position for the molten metal or in reverse travel after discharge of the molded v metal pigs.

By the particular form of such connection the molds are not only firmly connected and carried in endless procession throughout their active or passive transits, but are particularly useful in connection with splash prevention, either of molten metal in filling or of mold protection spray.

Referring to the drawing illustrating one preferred form of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an isometric detail view of one of the improved mold supporting bridge plates, of the drop type;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of one side only of the mechanism, with the mold in reverse position, as on the return travel.

As shown in Fig. 2, each side chain of a pair consists of side by side links 2, connected at their ends by axle pins 6 for wheels I, in receiving position running on upper track rails, or in reverse travel on rails 2901. as in Fig. 2.

Each link 2 is provided at its middle portion with one or an opposite pair of open slots 9, for reception of the bridge piece or special design mold support or bridge plate [2. In the present improved construction the bridge piece I2 is not continuously straight, but is ofiset vertically as at I2a, thus locating its inner mold-connecting end I3 materially beyond the plane of its outer chain engaging portion.

A special advantage in such construction is that in either position such vertical ofiset provides for necessary clearance of the chain guards,

in receiving position, and also for protection of the chains from lime spray, with the molds reversed, as in Fig. 2. In such latter case-the continuous plate barrier 35, one at each side, extends upwardly behind the offset l2a between the mold andthe chain, and into the clearance thus provided.

The inner end. of each bridge piece l2 terminates in a flange-like extension or supporting base [3 of suitable width, having two or more holes [4 for connection by bolts l5 with the terminal lugs I6 of mold ll, at each end thereof.

The bridge piece I2 is also provided with suitable meanspas cotter pin 20, inserted through hole 20a, together with lug 20b, for retaining the members including keeper plate 25, in operative position.

We likewise provide for protection of the return chain during reverse position of the molds, from any waste disposal of the usual underneath application of the mold-protecting coating of lime spray, by the means shown in Fig. 2.

It consists of longitudinally arranged plate barrier and framing 33-35 provided with flanges or interfering strips 3| mounted as by bolts 32 on the inner sides of the framing, which extends upwardly from any suitable supporting base 34 as shown. Such flanges 31 are located closely adjacent the endmost terminal edges of the molds ll at opposite sides, and efiectually prevent escape of such spray outside of the mold interior onto the chain or track. The framing members 33-35 are as shown of continuous plate construction and extend upwardly behind the ofi-set 7 12a of bridge pieces l2, thus providing effectual supplemental barriers by their extensions 35 against possible further passage of spray material.

7 It will be understood that the chains at each side are thus completely protected by insertion of the guards 35 inwardly towards the molds beyond the off-set [2a.

It will thus be seen that in reversed position, as in Fig. 2, the chains and their wheels or other portions, and also their trackways, are completely protected from splash of lime coating spray, by insertion of the barriers in the clearance provided by the off-set I2a of bridge piece |2-l3.

Our improvement is of especial advantage, not only in providing a strong rigidly connected bridge lpiece between each chain and the mold terminals, amply braced as to its inner mold connecting end I3, by the off-set l2a, and in thus providing the ofi-set clearance for the splash preventing barriers, as described.

It will be understood that the construction may be utilized by the designer for use in similar conditions, with appropriate variations in size, dimensions, design or otherwise, or for other uses or applications, within the scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:

1. In pig casting apparatus as described, a series of transverse molds having endmost con-'- necting terminals, outer conveying chains and trackways for upper receiving and lower return' travel in reverse, mold supporting bridge plates mounted on the chains extending inwardly with an intervening off-set providing for barrier clearance and connected with the mold terminals,

and longitudinally arranged protecting barriers '7 for the chains between them and the molds extending upwardly into such clearance when the molds are inverted as on return travel.

2. In pig casting apparatus as described, a

. series of transverse molds having endmost connecting terminals, outer conveying chains and trackways for upper receiving and lower return travel in reverse, mold supporting bridge plates mounted on the chains extending inwardly with an intervening off-set providing for barrier clearance and connected with the mold, terminals. and longitudinally arranged protecting barriers for the chains between them and the molds extending upwardly into such clearance, each provided with a lateral portion extending inwardly underneath the opposite open end portions of the molds.

r 3. In pig casting apparatus as described, a series of transverse molds having endmost connecting terminals, outer conveying chains and 'trackways for upper receiving and lower return travel in reverse, mold supporting bridge plates mounted on the chains extending inwardly with an intervening oiT-set providing for barrier clearance and connected with the mold terminals, a longitudinally arranged protecting plate barrier for the chains and track-way between them and the molds extending upwardly into such clearance and provided with a lateral flange portion extending inwardly closely underneath the open end portions of the molds.

FRANK F. BOLLINGER. 

